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Patna: Bihar Industry Minister Jai Kumar Singh, speaking at a convention of Bihar State Rice Mill Association at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Saturday, said that the government was considering giving power to rice mills to also act as paddy procurers in order to streamline the farm-to-market supply chain.

"If the rice mill association submits a new proposal in this regard, the government would certainly give it a second look," the minister said.

Saying he would soon convene a meeting of the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Cooperative Minister, and Food and Consumer Protection Minister and their respective secretaries to discuss the problems being faced by the rice mill owners, Singh said this meeting would also be attended by the representatives of the farmers and other members of the supply chain.

The Industry Minister said that by authorizing rice mills to also act as paddy procurers, the state could meet the annual need of 40 lakh metric ton of Bihar.

"Not only that, we could also have enough surplus to supply rice to Nepal and Bangla Desh," he said.